Rodgers said: “Our ambitions are clear – they have to be bigger than one player. Luis sent us a lovely text this morning, wishing all the best for his team-mates, and for the club to have a strong start.

“That was a great gesture, and he is a friend now of Liverpool – but we look forward, not back.

“We are bigger than the ambitions of any single player, we are bigger than Luis Suarez. He sent the text to me personally, he is a good boy whose heart is with Liverpool. But he has gone.”

Rodgers gave debuts to former Saints stars Dejan Lovren and Rickie Lambert, but it was goals from Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling that settled the match after Nathaniel Clyne levelled for Southampton.

Afterwards, Sturridge echoed the words of his manager, by insisting the team can cope without the presence of Suarez.

He said: “No disrespect to Luis, he is a great player and will be missed but we have shown we can win games, score goals and can defend.

“There is pressure on me to get the goals now so it is important for me and the other lads to step up.”